Good Bye Pale skin! Hello Sun!

It was a beautiful day today, so I made some friends meet me at the park. I have been under the weather with a cold, and needed to get out. And what would an outing be without snacks? Not a success!

My mom even joined in on the fun for a few minutes. Not even she could deny how good the sun felt, or maybe it was just my cute kids that drew her in. :)

Time with friends

We had some great friends come into town over the weekend for a visit. I totally forgot that they had a dog, but everything turned out fine. Deeken is usually very scared of dogs, so we thought we would torture the fear out of him...just kidding. He actually chose to get in there, and I was just lucky enough to get this picture, and since it is the only picture I have from the weekend, it will have to do.

The Veeks arrived on Friday night. My kids had anticipated it for a whole week, counting down the days until they arrived. They spoiled me right off, by making me an early birthday dinner. It was delicious, and I coveted the leftovers for days.

Sierra and I got to have a SUPER Saturday. We went running, then shopping, and made it home just in time to get the babysitters so that we could go to the temple with our husbands and out to dinner after. It was wonderful.

We always hate it when the Veeks leave, and can't wait till the next time comes around that we get to see them. We love you!

Hmmmm....

• Sometimes the sound of my name (MOM) said by my kids makes me cringe. Usually when it is repeated over and over and over again. Does this ever get to you too?
• I think house cleaning styles are like personalities. Mine is sort of clean on our first meeting, and then after that it is pretty much what you see is what you get. Sometimes, you might catch me on a more refined day, but a better part of the time there are a few loose ends here and there, meaning my house has always got something out of place. John is more clean and perfect on the first meeting and would always like it to always LOOK that way. Always. What is yours?
• Sometimes I feel like my life is a LITTLE out of control, and I wonder if I will ever get it under control. Have you ever felt like that? Can you have a mid-life crisis at 30?
• I am a HUGE loser! By that I mean, I lose everything. I have now lost 2, count it 2 wedding rings. I lose my keys all the time. Things get misplaced and I just figure they will show up and don't get overly excited about looking for them, and then some how time passes, and they are lost....Micah's coat, Micah's scooter, new umbrella, etc. Are you a loser too?
• I like denim. When you wear two different kinds of denim, are they supposed to match? For example, A denim jacket and denim jeans. Do they gotta match, or is that too Match-e?

• THESE ARE JUST THINGS I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT, and QUESTIONS I WANTED TO ASK...IT WILL PROBABLY GET ADDED TO.

My Polygamist Children

I know they may be the cutest polygamist looking children ever, but when I started taking these pictures, that is exactly what I thought they looked like.

When I took Abby pictures, I loved how it turned out in front of these reeds. So when it was a sunny day today, I wanted to take the kids over for some "quick" pictures. When I started talking about outfits for the kids, John says, "I thought this was going to be a quick thing?" I knew I had to be quick in my choosing, or my husband would not be in on the whole thing. See I usually prepare months in advance for my kids clothing. Mostly so I can get cute things on clearance, but also because I like to be prepared...especially on my fall shoots. But again this had to be a quick choice, and I chose WRONG! The girls look okay, but the boys...well, let's just say WRONG!

I do like some of them, so I thought I would share them, but I don't see them permanently on my blog anytime soon. We'll see, they might grow on me.

I could get all sappy here and go off about sisters like I have done in past blogs, but I will just say, that I am very happy they have each other.

I didn't get a great group shot, but this was WAY to poised for John, and he wasn't much into it. Oh well, next time I will take you Trish, cuz there will be reshoots. Thanks also to her for doing Micah's braid....oh that makes me think polygamists again. WHAT WAS I THINKING! PS This is how Abby's invitation turned out. It was my first attempt at making one. I think it went pretty well, and taught me a lot about Photo Shop. Thanks to Chelle who helped with my lack of knowledge too.

TURNING 30 In a month!

what to do while i am 30...

I turn 30 years old 1 month from today! I decided I needed to make a list of things to accomplish during the year that I am 30. This was inspired by my friend Brenley, who is 2 days and one year older then me. I remembered hers, reviewed it, and realized how many things I know she has accomplished. So I think it could be good for me. I may change a few things here and there up until my birthday.

1. scrapbook Noah's life for his baptism

2. add 300 dollars to the DISNEYLAND fund(currently at $810)

3. exercise at least 4 times a week

4. go to the Temple once a month (or 12 times)

5. read the Book of Mormon all the way through

6. go on a real vacation

7. take a photography class

8. eat less chocolate

9. read one book a month

10. visit Oregon and Colorado(I don't have to fly, wish I could put more here)

11. write John one love letter a month

12. learn the art of couponing

13. read a book to my kids everyday

14. start crafting again

15. make cookies from scratch once a month and take them to someone

16. buy a new lens for my camera

17. Become skilled at Photoshop

18. eat more fruits and vegetables

19. have FHE every Monday

20. have one date a month w/ John

21. learn to play 5 songs on the guitar

22. say five positive things to my kids a day

23. cook one new recipe a month

24. sew something

25. make all Christmas gifts and have them done by December 1st

26. do laundry only on one day of the week

27. take my two youngest to the Library for story time at least once a month

28. finish and print my blurb books of my blog from the last two years

29. read one book on parenting

30. take more time for just myself

Little Ms. Abby

This was my first attempt at baptism pictures. Abby's mom actually came up with this idea. It will be the picture they use for the announcement, with the writing on the left.

I had a fun time, even though it was freezing. Poor Abby, at least I got to keep my coat on the whole time!!! It sure made me grateful my kids are born in warmer months.

To see more of BEAUTIFUL Abby, click HERE.

Jog Log (Let's face it that is what I do)

(at least she looks darling while wearing these)

So, I am trying to work really hard at working out. While John was on vacation I went to Yoga with my sister-in-law at her gym. Who says money can't make you happy. I would probably do yoga every day if I had the money to keep going back. Yes, I could get a video, but it isn't the same. Really! Who can find ZEN with kids running around!!!

I have tried a few videos. I do Jillian's 30 minute shred quite often, and Mari Windsors Pilate's. I think i had a break through with running when I would rather run then do these videos. I am really bad with the monotony of videos, yet, right now I run the same path every time I run so that I can see improvement in my running time. I am weird.

A few weeks ago, I was having breakfast with my HS friends. I was telling them how frustrated I was about feeling like I was getting bulkier instead of slimming down. My jeans are getting tighter around my legs. They asked me about using weights while exercising and I don't except when required with Jillian, but even then it is only two pounds. Then a friend whom I love very much said, "Well, i hate to break it to you but you have gymnast legs." Translation, big and muscular. It made me so depressed I went home and ate probably a dozen cookies. If I can't ever get slender legs, and my body is just going to keep getting bulky, why keep going? I was a gymnast, does that condemn me to have a gymnasts body for the rest of my life? I don't remember thinking I had bulky legs in HS. I honestly could have, but not realized it. I was lucky and had a pretty good body image for myself back then. Not face image...I had bad acne. annnnd I digress. So, Is this just my new almost 30 year old body I have to get used to? I know I still need to work out(I only gave myself one pity day). It is good for my health no matter what.

I told John if we had money I would go hire a personal trainer. He told me they are a huge waste of money. I don't think so personally, but it's not like I want one for every work out. I just want someone to give me advice on my body type, and what work out would be best for what I want to accomplish. So, I am calling out to all of you fellow bloggers who have knowledge. Am I stuck with what I got, or can I change it? Be honest, I've got to get my head wrapped around what 30 means for me.

(Just so you know, I know there are more important things in the world besides what my body can look like at 30. World hunger, war, Haiti, etc. All things worth giving more time to thinking about. I'm not that shallow, just looking to find some answers. Thank you to those who understand.)